This is Adult Learners Week, which aims to show the importance of lifelong learning. Education reporter Lyn Barton talks to a

mother who took up her education where she left off a decade earlier.

SCHOOL WAS one long nightmare for Suzanne Burley, who felt bulliedby pupils and bewildered by teachers.

But today - two years after making the brave decision to return to class -- she has put all that behind her.

And with national recognition for all her hard work, she is looking forward to starting at Bradford University this autumn.

"I had a very negative experience at school," she said. "It destroyed my self confidence and I was bullied by the other children.

"I didn't really try because I thought if I did anything well I would be bullied more."

She left Oakbank Grammar School with City and Guilds in English, Maths and Communications.

Two years ago, that changed for the Oakworth 27-year-old when her mum, Mary Ryan, and husband, Guy, persuaded her to go back to school.

The mum-of-two enrolled for a BTEC National Diploma in Caring Services at Keighley College.

"On the first day I was absolutely terrified. I was physically sick and remember shaking with fear," said Mrs Burley.

This September, she will go to Bradford University and after graduating hopes to help other people who have found themselves in the same situation.

Today she is picking up one of the rewards for all her hard work in the form of an Adult Learners Award from the National Institute for Adult and Continuing Education.

Keighley College's Marketing Director, Martyn Spence, says Mrs Burley's story is absolute proof that you can take more than one bite out of education.

"Adult Learners Week is all about what Suzanne has done. There are many people like her that have come back to college and have got a great deal out of it."

Alan Hodgson, Principal of Bradford College, said the number of adults choosing to return to education was going up all the time.

"There has been a huge increase in the number of people who come back to learning, year on year.

"We are not talking about second helpings. It is about a second chance for anybody from the age of 18 to over 80 ."

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